Activision Gets Great Buzz from Diablo 3 Release Speculation

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ATVI: Activision Blizzard logo
ATVI
Activision Blizzard

The release date of Activision Blizzard’s (NASDAQ:ATVI) upcoming PC role playing game, Diablo 3, has kick-started a fresh row of controversy on leading gaming forums. The issue started when Best Buy (NYSE:BBY) displayed posters in its stores showing Diablo 3’s release date as February 1. In response, Blizzard was quick to dismiss Best Buy’s claim, stating that retailers are fabricating the release date.

While the discussion on the release date was hot the forums, speculation was rife that Blizzard is considering releasing Diablo 3 on consoles along with PCs. Even though it’s unconfirmed, Blizzard announced that Diablo 3’s release will still require some time to incorporate system changes. Activision Blizzard competes with other game developers like Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:EA), Take-Two Interactive Software (NASDAQ:TTWO) and casual gaming mainstays such as Zynga (NASDAQ:ZNGA).

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See our full analysis for Activision Blizzard here

Great publicity for Diablo 3

Whether the speculation on Diablo 3’s release date/platforms is correct or not, Blizzard is not complaining as Diablo 3 is getting massive publicity on the leading gaming forums. Though fans have been eagerly waiting for the game since a long time, fervent discussions on Diablo 3 on gaming forums has certainly increased the game’s visibility.

Additionally, the speculation is also an impetus for Diablo 3’s pre-orders, which currently stands at 521,000 according to Vgchartz.com. We believe with the current scale of publicity, the number can swell further if Diablo 3 were to release on consoles too.

Trefis maintain $17.58 price estimate for Activision Blizzard, which is roughly 45% above its current market price.

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